Ep 6. The Island

Elena and Lila are now teenagers, and they have started to grow apart. Elena, who is now attending high school, tries to come to terms with her own intellectual and personal identity. Meanwhile, Lila is forced to marry the wealthy but abusive Marcello Solara, and her life takes a turn for the worse.

In this episode, titled "The Island," Elena's father takes the family on a beach vacation to Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples. Elena is excited to escape from her mundane life in Naples and enter a new world of luxury and glamour. However, the vacation does not go as planned. The family's hotel room is small and cramped, and Elena's father spends most of his time drinking and arguing with her mother.

Lila is now married to Marcello Solara, who owns a grocery shop in Naples. Marcello is physically and emotionally abusive towards Lila, and she despises him. When Marcello comes to Ischia looking for Lila, Elena is forced to confront the harsh realities of her friend's situation. She realizes that, while she may have been granted academic opportunities that Lila does not have, Lila is suffering in ways that Elena cannot comprehend.

Throughout the episode, Elena is torn between her desire for intellectual and personal growth and her loyalty to her friend. She is increasingly aware of the class divide that separates her from Lila and the other working-class people in their neighborhood. At the same time, she is discovering her own sexuality and grappling with the expectations placed upon her as a young woman in 1950s Italy.

In "The Island," the tensions and conflicts between Elena and Lila come to a head. This episode explores themes of class, gender, and power dynamics in ways that are both nuanced and deeply affecting. The scenery and atmosphere of Ischia provide a vivid backdrop for this episode, which is expertly directed and acted. My Brilliant Friend continues to be a stunning portrayal of female friendship and the complexities of growing up.